Shoe having a variety of lacing styles

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear comprises a sole, a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion wherein the shoe top is attached to the sole, and a shoe lip having a plurality of holes disposed between the sole and the shoe top.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This present application is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned application Ser. No. 10/402,713, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, the disclosure of which in its entirety is incorporated by reference herein.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically, to shoes having a plurality of channels used for attaching an upper sole and a lower sole to form a shoe.

2. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Footwear includes a shoe top and a sole. The shoe top is securely attached to the sole. Generally, the shoe top wraps around some or all of a wearer's foot. The wearer's foot is typically held in place by shoelaces. Soles are generally formed of a cushioning material. Because the shoe top is fixedly attached to the sole, the entire footwear needs to be replaced when the soles are worn, the shoe top is defaced or damaged, or if the wearer grows tired of the look or style of the shoe. In certain circumstances, a shoe wearer may want to have a different thickness of sole, a different style, or a different material of upper and/or lower portions. Being not detachable, replacement of the entire shoe is the typical solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an article of footwear comprises a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter, a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter, a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the first sole and a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the second sole, wherein the first lip and the second lip are dimensioned and shaped to form at least a plurality of channels from the holes of the first lip and the second lip, and a lace for extending through at least a plurality of channels to attach the first sole to the second sole.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, an article of footwear comprises a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter, a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter, a plurality of holes spaced apart and disposed along the first lip and the second lip, and a lace for extending through any combination of the plurality of holes to attach the first sole to the second sole.

The article of footwear further comprises a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first sole. A first shoe top is attached to the first sole and a second shoe top is attached to a third sole. The second sole is attached to one of the first and the third sole using the lace. The first sole and the second sole are made from different materials. The lace strings through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top. The second sole is thicker than the first sole. A material of the second sole is rubber.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear comprises a sole, a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the sole, and a shoe lip having a plurality of holes disposed between the sole and the shoe top. The shoe lip includes means for removably attaching to the sole. The means for attaching includes a tongue for fitting into a groove between the sole and the shoe top. The article of footwear further comprises a lace for extending through at least a plurality of holes to wrap around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoe lip for attachment to a shoe having at least a top portion and a sole comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other and a tongue portion for insertingly fitting a groove between the sole and the shoe top. The tongue portion further includes adhesive material for affixing the shoe lip to the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a lace according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an exemplary illustration of a side view of layers of a sole of a sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is an exemplary illustration of a channel incorporated into a sole locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of a top view of a sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a shoe according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the Figures, the illustration of FIG. 1 depicts an example of a sandal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In general, sandal 100 comprises a sole 102 having a plurality of redirection holes 104, grooves 106, and rings 108 for stringing a lace 110. The lace 110 is preferably a transparent plastic tube having a first end 112 and a second end 114, but can comprise any flexible material. The sole 102 can further include a top layer 116 and a bottom layer 118. The plurality of redirection holes 104 can further be provided between the top layer 116 and the bottom layer 118. The top layer 116 and the bottom layer 118 can be connected together. In still another embodiment according to the present invention, the plurality of redirection holes 104, grooves 106, and rings 108 can string more than one lace (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment a lace 210 includes lights 212 within its interior surface that can flash or remain constantly illuminated, for decorative purposes. The lace 210 also includes a power supply 214, for example, a battery, that provides electric current to the lights using an electrically conductive material 216 within the interior surface of the lace that is connected to the lights 212 and power supply 214 to form an electric circuit. The power supply 214 can be positioned behind an electrically conductive female connector 218 affixed to the first end of the lace 210 that can be coupled to an electrically conductive male connector 220 affixed to the second end of the lace 210, thereby completing the electric circuit. The lace 210 can further have a plurality of connectors and power supplies (not shown). In another embodiment according to the present invention, the lace includes an adjusting mechanism 222 that adjusts the length of the lace for a comfortable fit of the sandal on the wearer's foot.

Referring to FIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the sole comprises a plurality of layers. A first layer 302 that is in contact with a wearer's foot and a second layer 304 that is in contact with a surface. The first layer 302 having at least one of a plurality of redirection rings for stringing at least one of a plurality of laces and the second layer 304 having at plurality of redirection holes and grooves for stringing at least one of a plurality of laces, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Again referencing FIG. 3A, the first layer 302 and the second layer 304 are affixed to each other using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is preferably comprised of a plurality of tongues 308 arranged on the first layer 302 and a plurality of grooves 310 arranged on the second layer, wherein the plurality of tongues 308 and the plurality of grooves 310 are arranged oppositely to each other such that the plurality of tongues 308 interlock with the plurality of grooves 310 when pressed together. As shown in FIG. 3B, the locking mechanism can further include a channel 312 for stringing a lace thereby hiding the lace from view and obtaining a seamless connection between the first layer 302 and second layer 304. Additionally, any number of layers of soles can be affixed together to obtain a more comfortable fit of the sandal on a wearer's foot.

Referring to FIG. 4, a top view of a sandal is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lace 404 can include a moveable anti-friction pad 402 positioned over the lace 404 to prevent irritation of a wearer's skin arising from friction of the lace 404 against the skin. The anti-friction pad 402 further includes a plurality of securing devices 406 used to movably affix the anti-friction pad 402 to the lace 404.

Further illustrated are a plurality of electrically conductive connectors 408 (both male and female shown in a connected position) and a plurality of power supplies 410. The electrically conductive connectors 408, the power supplies 410, and a plurality of illumination devices 412 provided within the interior surface of the lace 404, are connected using a electrically conductive material 414 also provided within the interior surface of the lace 404. The lace 404 is strung through a plurality of redirection holes 416, grooves (not shown), and rings 418 that are provided on the perimeter, on a top surface, and within an interior surface (not shown) of a sole 420, thereby forming a receptacle to secure the sole 420 to a wearer's foot. The receptacle formed serves as a top portion of a shoe.

When securing the sandal to a foot, any combination of redirection holes 416, grooves, and rings 418 can be used for stringing the lace 404. Additionally, in conjunction with using any combination of redirection holes 416, grooves, and rings 418, to secure the sandal to the foot, the lace can be wrapped around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles. Obtaining a plurality of decorative styles from a single pair of sandals advantageously increases the marketability of the sandal.

The illustration of FIG. 5 depicts a shoe 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shoe 500 comprises an upper portion 520 and a lower portion 530. The upper portion 520 includes an upper sole 510 and a shoe top which comprises a heel portion 506, a toe portion 507, and an instep portion 508. The shoe top is fixedly attached to the upper sole 510. The upper sole 510 has a lip with a plurality of holes 501 which are spaced apart and disposed around its perimeter. The lower portion 530 comprises a lower sole 511 formed of a cushioning material. The lower sole 511 has a lip with a plurality of holes 503 which are spaced apart and disposed around its perimeter. In general, the upper sole 510 is in contact with a wearer's foot and the lower sole 511 is in contact with a surface.

In one exemplary embodiment, the upper sole 520 and the lower sole 530 are dimensioned and shaped so that at least a plurality of holes of the upper sole 520 and the lower sole 530 match to form a channel through which lace 513 can be strung to tie together the upper sole 520 and the lower sole 530.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoe wearer may use a different thickness, a different color, and/or a different material of either the upper or lower portion. The shoe wearer may change a style of a shoe, for example, by replacing the upper sole with another sole having an attached shoe top. The new sole with shoe top may have a different shoe top with a completely different style, or different toe portion or heel portion, or by a different thickness and/or a different color of sole. For example, a rubber bottom sole can be used for wearing in slippery conditions.

The lace 505 is preferably a transparent plastic tube having a first end 513 and a second end 514, but can comprise any flexible material. Details of the lace 505 are same with the details of the lace 210 described in FIG. 2. The lace 505 additionally secures the soles 510 and 511 to wearer's foot. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the holes 501 and 503 can string more than one lace.

When securing the upper sole 510 to the lower sole 511, any combination of holes 501 and 503 can be used for stringing the lace 505. In conjunction with using any combination of holes 501 and 503 to secure the upper sole to the lower sole, the lace can be wrapped around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles. In such case, the shoe can be worn without the shoe top. In addition, to obtain a plurality of decorative styles, jewelry, colored plastics, or pieces of leather can be removably affixed to the lace 505.

The illustration of FIG. 6 depicts a shoe 600 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shoe 600 comprises a sole 630, a shoe top, and a shoe lip 610. The shoe top comprises a heel portion 506, a toe portion 507, and an instep portion 508. The shoe top is fixedly attached to the sole 630. The shoe lip 610 has a plurality of holes 603 which are disposed spaced apart from each other. The shoe lip 610 can be removably attached to the shoe 600, in a space between the sole 630 and the shoe top. As shown, a tongue and groove system, with the shoe lip 610 having a tongue portion 640 for insertingly fitting into the ‘groove’ between the sole 630 and the shoe top. The tongue and groove system facilitates ease of adding the shoe lip 610 to existing shoes. Alternatively, the shoe lip 610 can be glued into existing shoes by an adhesive.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, any connecting system, which is easy to attach and remove the shoe lip 610 from the sole 630, can be used. The magnified circles in FIG. 6 show exemplary shapes of the shoe lip 610. The shoe lip 610 may be formed of an elastic material such as, for example, plastic, leather or rubber. The sole 630 may be formed of a cushioning material.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 

1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole; a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the sole; and a shoe lip having a plurality of holes disposed between the sole and the shoe top.
 2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the shoe lip includes means for removably attaching to the sole.
 3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the means for attaching includes a tongue for fitting into a groove between the sole and the shoe top.
 4. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a lace for extending through at least a plurality of holes to wrap around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles.
 5. An article of footwear comprising: a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter; a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter; a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the first sole and a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the second sole, wherein the first lip and the second lip are dimensioned and shaped to form at least a plurality of channels from the holes of the first lip and the second lip; and a lace for extending through at least a plurality of channels to attach the first sole to the second sole.
 6. The article of footwear of claim 5, further comprising a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first sole.
 7. The article of footwear of claim 5, further comprising a first shoe top attached to the first sole and a second shoe top attached to a third sole, wherein the second sole is attached to one of the first and the third sole using the lace.
 8. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the first sole and the second sole are made from different materials.
 9. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the lace strings through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top.
 10. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the second sole is thicker than the first sole.
 11. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein a material of the second sole is rubber.
 12. The article of footwear of claim 5, further including affixing decorative articles onto the lace.
 13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the decorative articles include one of jewelry, colored plastics, and pieces of leather.
 14. An article of footwear comprising: a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter; a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter; a plurality of holes spaced apart and disposed along the first lip and the second lip; and a lace for extending through any combination of the plurality of holes to attach the first sole to the second sole.
 15. The article of footwear of claim 14, further comprising a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first sole.
 16. The article of footwear of claim 14, further comprising a first shoe top attached to the first sole and a second shoe top attached to a third sole, wherein the second sole is attached to one of the first and the third sole using the lace.
 17. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the first sole and the second sole are made from different materials.
 18. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the lace strings through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top.
 19. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the second sole is thicker than the first sole.
 20. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein a material of the second sole is rubber.
 21. The article of footwear of claim 14, further including affixing decorative articles onto the lace.
 22. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the decorative articles include one of jewelry, colored plastics, and pieces of leather.
 23. A shoe lip for attachment to a shoe having at least a top portion and a sole, the shoe lip comprising a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other and a tongue portion for insertingly fitting a groove between the sole and the shoe top.
 24. The shoe lip of claim 23, wherein the tongue portion further includes adhesive material for affixing the shoe lip to the shoe. 